Theoretical Models of Disability

Question 1

Medical Model

Answer 1

Defines disability in terms of biological impairments.

Question 2

Strengths of the Medical Model

Answer 2

1. Explicitly acknowledges that there is a biological condition that places an individual at a disadvantage compared to the majority of the population.
2. A clearly-defined set of biological criteria to diagnose a person’s condition sometimes helps, eg. in medical diagnoses/treatment and government assistance criteria.

Question 3

Weaknesses of the Medical Model

Answer 3

1. Focuses exclusively on biology and so overlooks the impact of design decisions in our social environment.
2. Assigns disability as a characteristic of an individual person, essentially stigmatizing the person as different and “less than” the rest of the population.
3. People who do not fit within the rigid definitions may be denied benefits that they need.
4. Having to prove one’s disability over and over is time consuming and can be dehumanizing.

Question 4

Social Model

Answer 4

Society creates disabling conditions–to a large extent, “disability” is an avoidable condition caused by poor design. More inclusive designs can remove the barriers that people with disabilities face in their everyday lives.

Question 5

Strengths of the Social Model

Answer 5

1. Empowers people with disabilities by removing the stigma often associated with physical impairments.
2. Empowers designers of physical and virtual environments to think broadly about usability for all kinds of humans.
3. The big picture with the social model is that society can be more welcoming and just, with a higher quality of life for all, if we make the effort to design with accessibility in mind.

Question 6

Weaknesses of the Social Model

Answer 6

1. Can de-emphasize the physical reality of a disability too much.
2. A person’s disability can be an important part of one’s identity and it shouldn’t be minimized to the point that people are afraid to talk about it.

Question 7

Biopsychosocial Model

Answer 7

Recognizes that disability is a complex and multifaceted concept and incorporates the perspectives of the medical and social models. This includes the biological, individual, and social aspects of disability.

Question 8

Strengths of the Biopsychosocial Model

Answer 8

This model takes into account multiple facets of disability (biological, psychological, and social) and is useful in rehabilitation, allowing health and social care workers to develop more robust support for people with disabilities.

Question 9

Weaknesses of the Biopsychosocial Model

Answer 9

Combining health and social factors in defining disability may possibly downplay the medical needs of people with disabilities.

Question 10

Economic Model

Answer 10

Views disabilities from the perspective of the economic impact of the disability on individuals, employers, the state, and welfare programs.

Question 11

Strengths of the Economic Model

Answer 11

This model recognizes that (bodily) disabilities impact people’s ability to work, which has various implications.

Question 12

Weaknesses of the Economic Model

Answer 12

1. This model may create a sense of stigma because it legally defines people with disabilities as needing assistance such as disability payments; they may be viewed as being “needy” members of society.
2. Many people have disabilities that significantly impact their ability to work but they do not meet the legal definition of having a disability and therefore do not qualify for assistance programs.

Question 13

Functional Solutions Model

Answer 13

Focuses on applying innovation (technology or methodology) to overcoming the limitations of disability.

Question 14

Strengths of the Functional Solutions Model

Answer 14

Focuses on results that benefit people with disabilities, without getting hung up on theoretical or political questions.

Question 15

Weaknesses of the Functional Solutions Model

Answer 15

If accessibility professionals are too focused on creating practical technological solutions, they may miss opportunities to address the larger social context. Sometimes addressing the larger social context works so well that it can make a specific technological solution obsolete.

Question 16

Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model

Answer 16

People with disabilities may develop a sense of personal identity through consorting with others who share similar life experiences based on their disability. Together, the group develops a sense of culture based on these shared experiences.

Question 17

Strengths of the Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model

Answer 17

1. Self-acceptance and empowerment
2. Political strength can be gained by forming alliances and advocacy networks.

Question 18

Weaknesses of the Social Identity or Cultural Affiliation Model

Answer 18

Doesn’t always serve as a useful basis for technical definitions of disability because groups of people with different types of disabilities–or even without any disabilities–may consider themselves part of the same social group.

Question 19

Charity or Tragedy Model

Answer 19

Treats disabilities as unfortunate or tragic conditions worthy of special treatment.

Question 20

Strengths of the Charity or Tragedy Model

Answer 20

Can create a sense of empathy in those without disabilities and inspire them to genuinely assist people with disabilities.

Question 21

Weaknesses of the Charity or Tragedy Model

Answer 21

Encourages unequal social and political relationships between people, which can actually slow down progress for people with disabilities as a whole.

Question 22

Affirmation Model

Answer 22

Similar to the social identity or cultural affiliation model, it encourages people with disabilities to affirm their identity and feel comfortable in their own skin, celebrating everything about their physical identity, including their disabilities.

Question 23

Sociopolitical Model

Answer 23

More of an activist model that emphasizes the need for human rights for people with disabilities.

Question 24

Religious/Moral Model

Answer 24

One interpretation of the religious/moral model assumes that disabilities are given to people as a punishment for actions of either the individual themself or of their parents or others who have brought this condition upon them. Or, if a disability is not seen as a punishment, it may be regarded as a condition given by God to teach a lesson or to test the person.

Question 25

Expert or Professional Model

Answer 25

A variation of the medical model in which disabilities are meant to be treated and managed by people with expertise and credentials. (This has tended to produce a system in which an authoritarian, over-active service provider prescribes and acts for a passive client.)

Question 26

Rehabilitation Model

Answer 26

Also a variation of the medical model, with an emphasis on therapy or rehabilitation for the person with a disability to improve the person’s ability to function and compensate for the disability.